Bruno Peres: My Brazilian Dream Team

A journey through the past and present of Brazil’s conveyor belt of talent awaits as Bruno Peres picks his all-Brazilian Dream Team.

In this exclusive interview with asroma.com, the Giallorossi full-back opts for a 4-3-3 formation jam-packed with attacking flair and a fair few ex-Roma players to boot…

DIDA

“I’ve always seen Dida as a top goalkeeper. He was world-class – definitely one of the best throughout the 2000s. He won it all here in Italy with AC Milan and played many times for the Brazilian national team. He’s the No.1 in my Dream Team.”

CAFU

“I’m a right-back and in my position I’d have to go with Cafu, who was my idol as a player and a person. I know him well – he’s from Sao Paulo, just like me. He enjoyed success everywhere he went in Brazil and Europe, including here at Roma of course. What can you say about him? He was a fantastic player and captained Brazil to World Cup glory.”

LUCIO

“I’m picking Lucio as my right-sided centre-back. He was an amazing defender, one of the best in the world. I could have gone for David Luiz or Thiago Silva, but it’s Lucio who deserves a spot in my Dream Team.”

ALDAIR

“Aldair’s my other centre-back. He was an icon here at Roma, as well as a fantastic player who was very popular in Brazil. I’ve met him a few times, although I don’t know him that well. That said, I’m well aware of how good a defender he was – he won the 1994 World Cup with Brazil and the 2001 Scudetto with Roma.”

ROBERTO CARLOS

“There’s was only ever one guy getting the nod at left-back. Roberto Carlos is a shining example for anyone looking to play in that position, especially if you’re Brazilian. His career speaks for itself. He basically won everything there is to win with Real Madrid and the Brazil national side.”

RONALDINHO

“This is a true, Brazilian-style 4-3-3 so I’m packing the midfield with attacking flair. First up has to be Ronaldinho, who was one of the players I loved watching when I was little. He worked wonders with the ball at his feet – all those dribbles and tricks. I’ve always kept a close eye on his career, from when he played at Gremio as a youngster to PSG, his first European club, then Barcelona and later AC Milan.”

FALCAO

“In the middle I’m going with Paulo Roberto Falcao. He’s a hero in Brazil and – as I’ve discovered over time – here in Rome too. He was one of the key men in the Giallorossi’s second Scudetto title win so it’s little wonder he has a place in the hearts of every Roma fan. As a player he had bags of quality and personality.”

RIVALDO

“Completing my ultra-attacking Dream Team midfield is Rivaldo. He was incredibly technically gifted, a real class act. He might have been a little less glitzy than Ronaldinho, but he always delivered. Rivaldo made the amazing look simple and could pull something out of the bag to win a match when it really mattered.”

NEYMAR

“Up front I’ve picked Neymar. The guy is from another planet. He’s the complete player – he can do anything on the pitch. I was lucky enough to play alongside him for a season and a half while we were at Santos in Brazil. I was 22 and he was 20, but you could tell he was no ordinary player. He’s got even better now he’s in Europe with Barcelona – he’s showing the world what he can do.”

RONALDO

"I had to have O Fenomeno in my front three. He was a unique player, the way he ran with the ball and knew exactly where the goal was. Ronaldo really was a special No. 9. I really like him as a person too. He was one of the best strikers I’ve ever seen – as well as bringing his brilliance to the Brazil national side, he enjoyed great success at a number of top clubs.”

ADRIANO

“Adriano – The Emperor – is my third and final striker. He was a bit crazy, but man could he play! When I was a kid I remember watching him on the TV and thinking how good he was. He was capable of amazing things and he showed that in the early years here in Italy. It’s a real shame that he lost his way, but in my eyes he was a great player so he gets the final spot in my Dream Team.”